Special Chapters 1

————————————————————————————————

Chapter 1.5: Everyday

[Air Temple Island - 8 months before Korra's Arrival]

The day passed as it always did. Tenzin was off-island for a council meeting, his three children occupied with their games, and the air acolytes tending to their daily duties. He also left his wife behind, to take care of their household's daily chores.

PEMA

AGE: 34

STATUS: Housewife

Pema, as usual, found herself alone. She carried a small woven basket filled with freshly cooked meals and beverages, her steps soft as she made her way through the temple grounds.

"Madam Pema" an air acolyte greeted her with a polite bow as she passed.

She returned the gesture with a warm nod before continuing on her path. Each time she encountered another acolyte—whether they were sweeping the stone pathways, making their rounds, or meditating beneath the trees—she exchanged the same quiet acknowledgement.

But the further she walked, the fewer the acolytes she saw. Soon, as she neared the forested edge of the island, their presence vanished entirely.

Pema glanced around once more before slipping into the dense foliage.

She moved with familiarity, her path winding deeper into the trees until she arrived at a fenced-off section of land. After a quick scan of her surroundings, she crouched, pushing through a hidden gap in the fence just large enough for two people to slip through.

The moment she stepped inside, the air felt different. Quiet. Isolated.

Then—

Thunk!

She froze. The distant sound of something solid striking wood echoed through the trees.

Thunk!

Pema started walking through the makeshift path, following the rhythmic sound.

Thunk!

Each noise guided her through the thick brush, past twisting roots and overgrown paths, until she emerged into a small clearing by the cliffside.

There, nestled in the open space, was a poorly constructed tent, its fabric worn and patched. A small fire crackled nearby, the scent of charred wood mixing with the faint aroma of roasting fish skewered on makeshift sticks.

And just beyond the fire, half-hidden under a large tree's shadows, was something unexpected. A structure. Or at least, the beginnings of one. Wooden planks, unevenly stacked, formed the base of a crude shelter, its walls barely holding together. And atop its fragile roof—

A boy.

His back was turned to her, his posture stiff with focus as he sat on the ledge, hammering away at a loose plank. In his hands, a small, self-made hammer—stone and sticks bound together with twine.

ZHEN

AGE: 18

STATUS: "Survival-mode"

He struck again.

Thunk!

The nail drove into the wood, securing one piece to the fragile frame. He tested it with a firm press of his palm, ensuring it held itself together properly before moving on to the next.

Pema exhaled softly, her gaze gentle.

"Zhen" she called.

The hammer stilled mid-swing.

He turned immediately, his focused expression easing the moment he saw her. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm, his red eyes met hers—softer now, less guarded.

Pema smiled and stepped forward, lifting the basket slightly.

"I brought something for you" she said.

Zhen didn't reply, but didn't need to. With a small nod, he hopped down from the unfinished roof, landing lightly on the ground. He then dusted off the rough logs he used as seats, clearing them for her as the fire crackled.

Once they were clean enough, he gestured for her to sit before settling down across from her.

Pema carefully set the basket down and began unpacking its contents: warm rice wrapped in cloth, steamed vegetables, and a small pot of jasmine tea. The familiar scent filled the air, briefly overpowering the smell of char.

"How is everything?" she asked, handing him a portion.

Zhen accepted the food with a quiet nod. "It's fine. Getting used to things"

As expected, he didn't hesitate to start eating. Pema watched him for a moment—he never wasted time with gratitude, nor did he complain. He simply ate.

"You've been working on the shelter more" she noted, pouring herself a cup of tea.

Zhen gave a small grunt in response, swallowing a bite of rice before answering. "Needed better walls…"

She smiled. His words were brief, but she could tell he took some pride in his work.

"You know…" she began, taking a sip of tea before continuing. "You'll wear yourself out living like this"

Though she respected his choice, the concern in her tone was unmistakable. Zhen, still so young, shouldn't have to be living in such conditions.

Zhen's jaw tensed slightly as he took a bite from one of his skewered fish. He didn't answer immediately, his eyes flickering toward the half-built shelter.

"This is fine" he said at last.

Pema sighed, but didn't push further. They'd had this conversation before, and it always ended the same way.

She poured another cup of tea, the steam rising gently from the pot. She extended it toward him, and without a word, he took it from her. The warmth of the drink fogged his vision for a moment, as if it could clear the thoughts swirling in his mind.

For a while, they sat in the quiet, the fire crackling between them, its warmth battling the chilling breeze. The only sounds were the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional shift of the wind, as if the world itself was pausing with them.

Pema watched him as he ate, her gaze filled with quiet understanding. There was something about the way he carried himself—so independent, so sure that he could handle everything. But she knew better.

"You know, Tenzin forgot his robe again this morning" she said suddenly, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "It always happens whenever he rushes out to those council meetings of his. I had to send Jinora after after him"

Zhen didn't respond at first, too focused on his food, but she caught the way he gave a quick glance—just a little, like he was suppressing his interest.

"And Meelo" she continued, shaking her head fondly. "Decided he wanted to 'lead' his father's council meetings. He almost rode Oogi and left Tenzin on the island. He almost succeeded"

Zhen let out a quiet huff—something close to a laugh. He didn't look up again, but Pema could tell he was listening.

She took a sip of her tea, savoring the warmth before speaking again.

"Ikki, of course, tattle the moment she saw him. She came running to me, completely out of breath, yelling, 'Mom! Meelo's stealing Oogi again!'" Pema chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly, that was the fastest I've seen Tenzin run"

Zhen finally glanced up, meeting her eyes for just a second before he shook his head. "Sounds… busy"

"Oh, you have no idea" Pema sighed dramatically, setting her cup down.

Zhen hummed in response, finishing off the last of his food. 

Pema took note of the way he ate—efficient, though messy, he gripped the food as though he was afraid it'll get taken from him, like someone who had learned to make every meal their last. It was a habit that made her heart ache just a little.

"You should stop by the temple some time" she said casually. "Jinora has been curious about you."

"Tenzin wouldn't want me anywhere near the temple" he said flatly.

Pema could only sigh, her expression softening.

"He'll come around, just give him some getting used to" She paused for a moment, then nudged the basked toward him. "Take the rest with you. I made extra"

Zhen hesitated but eventually took the bundle, tucking it away beside him.

For a while, they sat there, letting the warmth of the fire fill the silence between them.

Then, in a rare moment of quiet gratitude, Zhen murmured "Thanks"

Pema smiled, reaching out to lightly ruffle his hair. "Of course, sweetheart"

He stiffened at the gesture, unused to such affection—but he didn't pull away. Pema's hand lingered on his hair a moment longer, her fingers soft as they brushed through the strands. There was an almost imperceptible pause before she spoke again.

"If you ever feel lonely, you're welcome to just stay around the courtyard instead of here" her voice had a gentle tone, trying her best not to sound forceful. "I'm sure the kids will enjoy having you around at least"

He stiffened again, his usual resistance to affection clear in the way his shoulders tensed. But Pema didn't mind. She simply continued, her tone as comforting as it was maternal.

Zhen glanced down at the bundle of food he tucked away, then at the fire, as if finding the words to respond too difficult.

But Pema wasn't expecting an answer.

With a final, gentle touch to his shoulder, she stood up slowly.

"Well, I've got to head back before Tenzin gets home" she gave him one last look, her smile tender but knowing. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Zhen didn't say anything, but there was a slight shift in his posture—a small but noticeable relaxation in the way he sat. Pema took it as progress, even if he wouldn't notice it.

"I'll be back to check on you again" she added softly before turning, walking back toward the temple.

For a long while, Zhen stayed where he was, staring at the fire.

In the months that followed, Pema's visits to Zhen became a regular part of her routine. She'd bring him meals, share quiet moments around the fire, and watch him steadily improve his little camp, piece by piece. 

Each visit felt like progress, though in small, quiet ways. Zhen never spoke much, but as the weeks passed, the silence between them began to change. He would start conversations himself, sometimes about work he was doing, sometimes about nothing in particular. He even began to greet her at the temple's steel fence, emerging from the trees to meet her halfway, his gaze softening just a little each time.

As months passed, Pema's pregnancy began to show, and it wasn't long before she asked Tenzin if Zhen could help her with some of her outdoor activities. Reluctantly, Tenzin agreed, though he remained cautious.

To Pema's relief, Zhen accepted, slowly starting to warm to the idea of being involved in the temple's life. He even began to make the effort to greet her and the other acolytes from outside the temple, showing a side of him that Pema had long hoped to see. It wasn't much, but it was progress.

—————————————————————————————

Chapter 2.5: Lost and Found

[Just before Zhen found Korra in the Probending arena]

Just as Korra snuck out, Zhen followed suit. Well, tried to. A bit late to the game, he found himself in the very same Probending arena, which he thought was where she'd gone.

There was just one small problem: he was lost.

A full-grown man, utterly and completely lost, like a child wandering around a shopping mall, searching for their parent.

ZHEN

AGE: 19

STATUS: "A Lost Child"

It was his first time here, and he severely underestimated how complicated buildings were. Concrete walls, endless corridors—none of it made sense to him. Zhen had a terrible sense of direction. You'd think someone who could navigate the wilderness no problem would be a pro at finding their way, but no.

In the woods, he could track a trail with ease, but inside this maze of hallways? He might as well have been in a labyrinth, and his usual survival instincts were as useless as a compass in a magnet factory.

To put it simply: Zhen was lost—and not just a little lost. He was completely clueless. He didn't even know which way was out.

'Damn it…' he thought as he entered a door that just led to another corridor.

He glanced left. Looked the same. He glanced right. Also the same. He turned around. Even worse—he wasn't sure which way he had even come from.

This was bad.

At this rate, Korra could've already left and returned before he even figured out how to find an exit.

Grumbling, he turned on his heel and tried the opposite direction. Maybe he could look for the crowd? The area had to be packed with spectators—it's not like the building held some quiet, intimate event.

He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his surroundings. Faintly, he felt a distant movement of a crowd from somewhere nearby.

'Alright, progress'

He turned a corner, picking up the pace.

Then—

Wham!

Something, or rather someone, collided with him at full speed.

Zhen barely had time to register what happened before he was knocked back a step. Meanwhile, the unfortunate person who crashed into him hit the floor with a loud thud.

A groan followed as the person—draped in a heavy coat, a low brimmed hat, dark shades, and a mask—sat up, cradling their head. Though rather than reacting to the pain, they seemed more concerned with making sure nothing had fallen off.

Zhen narrowed his eyes.

Full-body coverage? Hat indoors? Shades at night? There was only one thing in Zhen's mind.

'Yeah… they're suspicious as heck'

Still, he crouched down and offered a hand.

"Sorry about that" he said evenly. "Bit lost myself."

The person hesitated for a moment before nodding and reaching out.

As Zhen clasped their hand and pulled them up, a stray thought crossed his mind. 'Soft…' 

He hadn't expected that.

Once on their feet, the figure dusted off their cloak, still avoiding eye contact. Now that they were standing, Zhen realized they were taller than he'd assumed—though still shorter than him.

"Thank you…" they murmured, their voice soft and muffled beneath the mask.

Their posture was stiff, gaze averted, as if actively trying not to get recognized.

Zhen, who truly could not care less, could only think that this was the perfect time to ask someone for directions.

"Actually" he said, cutting straight to the point "You mind guiding me to where the players would be?"

The figure tilted their head, considering his request.

Then, after a brief pause—

They nodded.

Without even saying a word of explanation, they grabbed his hand and started walking.

Zhen tensed slightly at the contact. A stranger—clearly trying not to be noticed—was now dragging him through the arena like a lost child being led by their parents. His first instinct was to pull away, but then again… he was lost. And it wasn't like he had any right to judge someone for being suspicious.

So, for the next thirty minutes, they walked. Hand in hand.

Zhen, already feeling ridiculous, occasionally tried to break free—only to be yanked right back without a word. The figure never let go, their grip oddly firm, yet not forceful. It wasn't restraint, it was insistence.

And for some reason, in all that time, neither of them attempted conversation.

It was just… walking.

In circles.

Through hallways.

Up and down the same stairs.

At some point, Zhen noticed the familiar halls they've passed.

"Alright, hold on" He dug his heels in, forcing them both to a stop. "We've been walking for half an hour. Do you even know where you're going?"

The figure stiffened. Their head dipped slightly. Though they had their back facing Zhen, it was enough to catch the unmistakable shift in their posture.

Guilt.

"...No" they admitted quietly.

Zhen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He should've known. Of course, the one person he decided to follow was just as lost as he was.

"So let me get this straight" he said slowly. "You've been leading me—somewhere—this whole time, without actually knowing where we're going?"

The figure fidgeted slightly but gave a stiff nod.

Zhen stared at the figure, then at the hallway they definitely passed before, then back at the figure.

And then—

He laughed.

Not just a small chuckle or a dry scoff, but an actual, genuine laugh. The kind that bubbled up out of sheer absurdity.

The figure tensed, clearly unsure of how to react as they turned to face him. Their hand tightened around Zhen's as if bracing for ridicule.

But Zhen wasn't laughing at them—he was laughing at the entire situation they were in.

"We're both hopeless" he said between breaths, shaking his head.

The figure fidgeted again, but this time, their posture relaxed just a fraction. They weren't looking at him, but Zhen swore he saw their shoulders shake—just a little.

"...Sorry" they mumbled.

Zhen took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright" he said, exhaling slowly. "No point doing nothing. Let's try this way"

The figure nodded, though they still wouldn't meet his gaze. This time, he took the lead, still holding onto the stranger's hand. They didn't resist, only following silently at his side.

After another few turns he finally spotted something promising. A sign.

Though faded, it had the words: Gymnasium →

And beneath it, something else was written: Emergency Exit ←

Zhen sighed in relief. Finally.

"Looks like we're both saved" he muttered, glancing at his companion.

The figure looked at the sign, then briefly at them. Their grip on his hand loosened—then, finally, let go.

Zhen flexed his fingers absentmindedly, still feeling their warmth. "Thanks for… the company I guess"

The figure nodded once, then bowed politely, prompting Zhen to do the same. Then, without a word, turned on their heel and walked off toward the exit.

Zhen watched them go, brows furrowing slightly in curiosity. Then, with a shrug, he turned in the opposite direction.

In a few minutes, he would have almost gotten a concussion,

Meanwhile outside, in the arena's dimly lit parking lot, the cloaked figure weaved between rows of parked vehicles. Keeping their steps quick, until they finally stopped in front of a small scooter at the edge of the lot.

With a relieved sigh, they immediately began peeling off their disguise.

The moment the mask came off, a breathy complaint followed.

"Spirits, That was hot!" they panted, running a hand through their hair.

As they removed their hat and glasses, long, silky dark hair spilled down their shoulders, catching the faint glow of the streetlights. Beneath where the shades had rested, striking jade eyes blinked at the night air, now free from their confinement.

Though a slight sheen of sweat glistened against her skin, it only added to her effortless beauty, drawing more than a few lingering stares from passersby.

ASAMI SATO

AGE: 18

STATUS: Snuck out as well.

Completely unaware of the attention, Asami exhaled, shaking off the last remnants of discomfort before placing her discarded diguise into the bag hanging from her scooter's handle.

Just as she was about to hop on, a thought struck her.

"...I never asked for their name" she muttered to herself.

She paused, trying to recall the person she had just spent nearly an hour walking in circles with. But then again, she barely got a good look at them. With the fact that she spent most of their time actively avoiding eye contact in case she'd get recognized—their face was already fading from memory.

With a small shrug, she dismissed the thought.

'Doesn't matter, I guess'

She swung a leg over her scooter, revved the engine and pulled her helmet over her head.

Within seconds, she was gone, disappearing into the night.

Completely unaware that, in just a couple days, they'd meet again.

For real, this time.

—————————————————————————————

Chapter 3.5: A New Friend

[After meeting with Zhen]

After informing Zhen that Korra was nowhere to be found on the island, the young girl was reassured with a gentle nod and told to head back.

But not without something to keep her attention.

JINORA

AGE: 10

STATUS: Happy

She returned to her room, her small hands cupped as if cradling something precious—though to any observer, her palms were completely empty

"This is your room for tonight" she said softly, lifting her hands toward the space as if presenting it.

For a moment, she stood still, waiting. Then, sensing the familiar weight disappear from her palms, she let her hands fall back to her sides with a satisfied hum.

"Hm… Or maybe for a while, if Zhen allows it."

With that, Jinora smiled to herself and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.

As the latch clicked into place, a faint shimmer filled the dimly lit room. Behinder her, something stirred—and ethereal glow flickered into existence, swirling softly before taking shape.

A small, floating ball of fluff emerged from the light, its tiny wings fluttering as it bobbed in the air. It tilted its head in curiosity, its round eyes gleaming with quiet wonder.

Then, with a delighted squeak, it drifted toward Jinora, nestling comfortably near her shoulder.

Jinora giggled, lifting a finger to boop the tiny spirit's nose.

"We're going to be best friends" she whispered.

The spirit, sensing the sincerity in her words, let out a soft trill and nuzzled against her cheek, its chill as gentle as a passing breeze.

Jinora beamed, cradling the little spirit with both hands. In that moment, she knew—it was the beginning of something special.

—————————————————————————————

Chapter 4.5: Different People

[A few hours before Korra encountered the Equalists]

Before the Equalists, before the Triad, before the scuffle in the middle of the night, the chase, and the infiltration of an Equalist base—Our current group of characters gathered in a small safe house, waiting.

Waiting for what? Orders, of course. But why were our protagonists waiting for orders? Well, these weren't our protagonists.

The Equalist group, holed up in a building near a Triple Threat Triad Headquarters, was trying their best to pass the time. And it seemed like the wait had been long enough to make the blood of some of their members boil… or maybe it was just the head of the room.

Two members of the Equalists were seated across from one another in the middle of the building, the only ones who looked even remotely out of place compared to the rest. Between them, a small table, and on that table—a game board.

One of them—a petite young girl with a white animal mask—was visibly twitching with excitement.

"NEEDLE"

AGE: 16

STATUS: Having fun~

The other, a buff young man in a gas mask with his arms crossed, looked… well, slightly less enthusiastic.

"STEAM"

AGE: ???

STATUS: Having fun?

The two of them stared at the board in complete silence, the only sound the soft tapping of Steam's finger against his crossed arms.

Needle tilted her head, eyes gleaming as she picked up a piece and moved it forward with a dramatic flourish.

"Aha!" she exclaimed triumphantly, her grin behind the mask stretching wide. "Does this mean I win?!"

Steam paused, taking note of the pieces for a moment. With all the drama she was giving it, he had to admit it was amusing, in a way.

He leaned forward and made his move, placing a piece diagonally across the board.

"No," he said almost blankly, trying to mask his own joy. "I win"

Needle stared at the board in disbelief, then back at him. A beat passed.

"Wait, what?!"

Steam's mout barely twitched behind its cover—if only for a second.

"I said" he repeated with a touch of mockery. "I win"

Needle let out a theatrical sigh. "No way, I was sure I got you this time!"

She was about to sit back, but in a sudden fit of frustration, she stepped forward, controlling her momentum. Her foot landed squarely on the board, sending pieces scattering across the floor. In one smooth, almost instinctual motion, she leaned forward, her body low and poised like a predator—dagger now in hand against her side as if ready to strike.

"Did you cheat? You bastard" she snarled, her voice shifting from playful to lethal. 

The air in the room seemed to thicken in red, bloodlust pouring off her like a tangible weight, suffocating her fellow Equalists in the space.

Everyone tensed—everyone, except Steam.

"Course not" he responded with an icy calm, shrugging lazily. "Even if I did, what are you gonna do about it?"

For a long moment, they locked eyes. The rest of the room held its breath.

Then—

Needle lunged.

Her dagger flashed, slicing through the air toward his mask. But Steam already reacted. He kicked the table up between them, sending it along with Needle tumbling over as he rolled back onto his feet.

Needle barely flinched, twisting mid-air and landing smoothly on the upturned surface, eyes locked wide onto him like prey.

Steam raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "Tch. Always so dramatic"

"You cheated!" Needle accused, flipping the dagger between her fingers. "And if you didn't, then I just FELT like stabbing you"

Before he could retort, she dashed forward again, lightning quick. Her blade flickered out, aiming for his side, but Steam sidestepped, pulling his elbow back before bringing it downward toward her like a hammer.

She twisted, barely avoiding the hit, and immediately countered. Steam barely managed to avoid the attack, stepping back as the blade grazed past his vest.

The other Equalists backed away toward the walls, keeping their guard up in fear of knowing one of those hits would surely end them.

Needle grinned wildly behind her pale coverage. "Come on, big guy, hit me! Or do you just like letting me do all the work?"

Steam let out an exasperated sigh.

Then he moved.

A sharp hiss of steam vented from his mask, curling into the air like smoke from a dragon's maw. Beneath his robes, something clicked—metal grinding against metal, spring coiling tight with a mechanical whine.

Then it snapped.

In an instant, he lunged. The floor cracked under the force of his step, wood splintering beneath his weight. His fist came down like a hammer, aimed straight for her.

But Needle had already predicted his move.

She twisted, dropping low as he swung, her body moving unnaturally, almost water. At the last second, she slid under him, the force of his strike sending debris and dust flying as his fist met the ground with a thunderous impact. The floor buckled beneath him, splinters shooting outward like a shrapnel.

Before the dust could settle, she was already behind him.

With a delightful laugh, she sprang back onto her feet, spinning on her heel with poise.

"Now THAT'S more like it!" she taunted, her voice bubbling with dangerous excitement.

Steam didn't give her a moment to revel in it. He spun to his side, using his momentum to drive a backhanded strike straight toward her. With his sheer strength behind it, a direct hit would've sent her crashing into the nearest wall.

But Needle was quick—too quick.

She twisted with the motion like a leaf caught in the wind, effortlessly slipping around his attack. And in that same instant, her leg shot up in a ruthless counter strike.

Thwack!

Her heel connected cleanly with the side of Steam's mask. A solid, satisfying crack echoed through the room. She felt the impact ripple through her foot along with the force behind it.

And yet.

Steam barely flinched.

With her heel still pressed against his cheek, he slowly shifted his head back toward her, completely unfazed.

Needle blinked.

"Ah… is it too late to apologize?" she asked, feigning innocence, though the familiar glint of amusement in her eyes betrayed her.

A low hiss escaped from Steam's mask as a fresh burst of vapor billowed out, obscuring his expression. Without a word, he reached up and grabbed her leg.

Needle let out a small, nervous chuckle as Steam's fingers tightened around her leg.

"Now, now, big guy, let's be reasonable—"

Without warning, Steam yanked.

Needle was airborne for all but a second before she twisted mid-air, using the momentum again to her advantage. Her hand shot down, a dagger flashing, ready to strike him to free herself.

But Steam reacted faster this time.

Before her blade could reach him, he threw her. Hard. Across the room.

With the grace of a cat, Needle flipped through the air, planting her feet against the wooden support beam. She crouched low, bracing herself against the impact before pushing off with explosive force, launching straight back at him.

The Equalists grunts, pressed against walls and hidden behind covers, watched the entire scuffle unfold.

"Should we… stop them?" one of the newer recruits muttered, shifting uneasily behind a crate.

Their eyes darted from the two combatants back to their fellow grunts, as if hoping for some reassurance that someone actually would.

"Unless you want to bite the dust on your first day, I suggest you leave them be" An older member, leaning against the wall with their arms crossed, let out a weary sigh. "Besides, you get used to it"

Another chuckled under their breath. "Yeah. This is, what? The third time this week?"

"Fourth" a woman corrected. "And that's only counting the times we've seen"

The woman sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"I swear this always happens when their leader isn't around." she added.

The recruit's face twisted in concern. "And… we just let them?"

"Oh, absolutely" the older grunt snorted. "You wanna get between THAT? Be my guest"

He jerked his chin toward the fight, where Steam narrowly dodged another swipe of Needle's blade, countering with a forceful swipe of his own.

The recruit wisely stayed put.

Another grunt, a younger girl, sighed. "Honestly. I don't even think they hate each other. They just… do this when he's not around."

"Yeah" The older man chimed in. "Keeps 'em sharp, I guess. Or maybe they just get bored without their mighty leader around like the rest of us"

The others chuckled quietly, but it was clear they weren't entirely uncomfortable with the ongoing match. The newbies, especially, stood out of the way, wide-eyes and unsure of what to make of everything. Their first day, and they were already witnessing a strange dynamic.

"You guys keep mentioning there's one more." One of the female recruits, her voice soft, piped up, her eyes darting between combatants. "Why isn't he here with us?"

The older man raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the newcomers. "Those two call him Faceless. Why they do, I got no idea why. Heard he was out on a different mission infiltrating some kind of high-profile target group"

"You think he'll be able to pull it off?" the younger girl asked, taking a seat on a small crate. "I know he's the best at that sort of thing, but leaking false intel still seems risky."

"It's not like there's anyone else more capable than he is, aside from her" the old man pointed at Needle, who was in the midst of being thrown across the room for the second time.

The older woman nodded with a knowing glance. "Agreed. Sending her would be a disaster"

The veteran members chuckled, exchanging glances. The new recruits sat in confusion, clearly unaware of the full context of the conversation. But before anyone could ask more questions, a sharp clack of a door echoed through the room.

Everyone froze, heads snapping toward the backdoor.

A grunt entered briskly, his expression tense behind his mask.

"We got our orders" he announced. "We move"

Steam and Needle, both mid-strike, froze in perfect sync. Their eyes met briefly, acknowledging the fight without words. Then, as if choreographed, they released each other with an almost imperceptible nod.

They straightened their clothing, smoothing down the fabric, removing any evidence of their scuffle. The tension hung in the air for only a moment before the pressure shifted, becoming palpable, like a storm about to break.

With a sudden coordinated movement, they each headed toward the door.

"Follow" Steam commanded in his usual heavy tone, stepping out first, a few Equalists trailing behind him.

"Time to play~" Needle purred, her voice laced with playful malice. Her own squad of Equalists followed closely in her wake.

The new recruits, still reeling from the abrupt change in atmosphere, stiffened. The air was thick with an unspoken intensity, a heavy presence that nearly choked them.

But before they could process the shift, a hand tapped one of them gently on the shoulder.

"Don't let it get to you" the older Equalist murmured, his voice reassuring despite the tension. "At the end of the day, they're competent"

The older woman, just behind him, cast a knowing glance. "Just stay out of their way, though. They can get pretty heated during missions"

The recruits nodded, taking their words to heart. Without any other words of assurance or support, they followed the older pair. The sound of boots on the floor, the whisper of fabric, and the quiet hum of anticipation were the only things left behind as the group moved out.

Only one thing synced in their minds: Finish the mission.

—————————————————————————————

Chapter 5.5: The Other Two

[Six months before Korra's arrival]

Zhen was slowly adjusting to life outside his small, secluded settlement, though it was becoming less jarring with each passing day. He followed Pema through her daily routines, trying his best to keep up with her effortless grace.

At first, it was awkward; he would trail behind her, fumbling through tasks that seemed so natural to her. Pema never once seemed frustrated, always patient as she went about her simple activities—taking walks, tending to small chores, and tending to the gardens. For Zhen, it was comforting, even if he felt like an outsider still.

He hadn't yet earned the trust of the Air Acolytes. Tenzin, understandably, kept him at arm's length, unwilling to fully integrate him into their community. For now, his only true connection to the temple's daily life was the pregnant Pema, who generously included him in her peaceful moments. 

That was, until one afternoon.

ZHEN

AGE: 18

STATUS: Cleaning

Pema sat peacefully on a bench under the shade of a large tree, sipping her tea and enjoying the calm of the air. Meanwhile, Zhen was sweeping leaves off the stone path leading up to the pagoda-like tower. The rhythmic swish of the broom was interrupted only by the soft sound of wind rustling the leaves.

Unbeknownst to Pema, however, Zhen was the target of two sets of watchful eyes.

"Target spotted" one voice whispered from behind a large bush, their silver hue eyes glinting in the afternoon sun. "What should we do about this, Capt.?"

IKKI

AGE: 6

STATUS: Spying on Zhen

The second voice—this one with an ocean blue tint—whispered back with mock seriousness. "I see the target Lieutenant. Prepare to engage!"

MEELO

AGE: 4

STATUS: Planning something

Zhen paused mid-sweep, his instincts flaring at the odd shift in the air. He could sense something lingering nearby. The feeling wasn't quite danger, but it was something.

He continued sweeping, pretending not to notice. A breeze rolled through, rustling the leaves once more. Then, just as he stepped forward—

"ATTACK!"

A blur of orange burst from behind the bush. A young girl sprinted straight at him, arms outstretched like she was about to tackle him.

"Air Nomad Special Technique—Super Speed Strike!" a young boy hollered, leaping from his hiding spot, spinning wildly mid air.

Zhen didn't even process what was happening. On instinct, he took a step back. Ikki skidded to a stop just inches away, silver eyes gleaming with excitement.

Meelo, however, was a different story. His spin gained momentum, pulling leaves and dust into a miniature whirlwind around him.

Zhen's reflex took over. He shifted his stance, reaching out—and caught Meelo by his head mid-spin. The boy's momentum came to an abrupt halt, his little limbs flailing for a brief moment before his body stilled.

For a second, there was silence. 

Meelo dangled in Zhen's grip, blinking in surprise. His wide eyes locked onto Zhen's face, trying to process what had just happened.

"Who… are you?" Zhen muttered, still gripping the boy's head.

Ikki gasped dramatically. "Now way! He stopped your Super Speed Strike?! That means…"

"He's a super secret warrior!" Meelo finished, arms flailing in excitement.

Zhen exhaled and slowly lowered the flailing boy back onto solid ground, watching as Meelo wobbled slightly before regaining his balance. He expected them to run off now that their game had been interrupted. Instead, they stared at him with newfound awe, practically vibrating with curiosity.

"What kind of secret techniques do you know?" Ikki pressed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Can you do a backflip while fighting ten lemurs at once? Can you fly? Oh! Do you sneak around the island at night when everyone's asleep?"

Meelo gasped again, suddenly pointing an accusing finger at Zhen. "Are you an Assassin?! Sent by the enemy to take us out?!"

Zhen blinked. He was thrown completely off by the barrage of questions.

"...No?" he offered hesitantly.

Ikki squinted at him, arms crossed. "That's EXACTLY what a secret assassin would say!" 

Zhen opened his mouth to respond, but Pema's soft laughter interrupted them.

PEMA

AGE: 35

STATUS: Enjoying tea

"Ikki, Meelo, stop pestering him" she chided gently, though there was amusement in her tone.

Hearing their mother's voice, the two immediately abandoned their interrogation and darted toward her, sliding to a stop under the tree's shade.

Ikki spun around, her eyes darting between Zhen and Pem as if piecing together a grand mystery. Then, her face lit up with realization.

"Is he the wild boy you've been meeting in the forest? But he's human! Unless—" her gasp was so exaggerated it could have been heard across the island. "He's secretly a wild animal in disguise! A shapeshifter!"

As if Ikki's realization had flipped a switch, Meelo's face lit up with just as much excitement. He jabbed a finger at Zhen.

"Does he do what you tell him to do? Doesn't that make him your lackey?" he asked eagerly, turning to his mother with a hopeful grin. "Can he be my lackey?"

As the two bombarded Pema with relentless questions, Zhen walked closer, stopping short in front of them with mild bewilderment. He looked at Pema and gestured toward the kids.

"Your kids?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Pema chuckled, setting down her teacup, confirming with an exasperated but affectionate sigh. "Yes. they're mine"

Zhen studied the two children, who were practically vibrating with excitement.

"They're… energetic" he remarked dryly.

"That's one way to put it" Pema said with a knowing smile, gently smoothing Ikki's hair.

Ikki, entirely undeterred, bounced on her toes. "Can you turn into a giant wolf?" 

"What about a dragon?" Meelo added excitedly.

Zhen just gave them a blank look. "No"

Ikki let out a dramatic gasp, her eyes wide with suspicion. "That's exactly what a shapeshifter would say!"

"He's hiding his true form!" Meelo accused, pointing at Zhen with exaggerated intensity, though his grin betrayed any real seriousness.

Zhen, feeling more overwhelmed than he had been at any point since arriving on the island, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not—"

"Now, now kids" Pema interrupted, steering them away from Zhen before it escalated further. "That's enough for today. Let's give him some space."

Ikki groaned in protest, but relented. Meelo pouted but followed as their mother gestured for them to head back toward the temple.

As they walked away, Ikki turned and waved toward Zhen. "I'll play with you next time, wild man!"

Meelo mimicked the gesture, grinning. "Yeah, better be ready!"

Zhen exhaled slowly as they disappeared from view, shaking his head.

Pema turned back to him with an amused smile. "I supposed I should've warned you"

"They're… a bit much" Zhen said, crossing his arms. 

Pema laughed. "You'll get used to them"

Zhen wasn't so sure. A year from now, that feeling wouldn't change.

End